ONeill ready to rebuild

Despite further rumours over the Celtic managers future, he is looking ahead and declares himself keen to rebuild an ageing side

There was something in Martin O’Neill’s mood on Friday, as he worked his way through his various press conferences, that suggested change is imminent at Celtic Park. The impression the manager gave to newspaper journalists was that he will still be around to implement it, but broadcasters found him familiarly enigmatic on his own future. A conclusion? Either money is on the way for the Celtic manager, or the Celtic manager is on his way.

The former seems the more likely despite rumours from Holland, denied by both parties, that Co Adriaanse, the coach of AZ 67 Alkmaar, travelled to Glasgow for a chat with Celtic’s board early last week. O’Neill’s tone suggested that he will still be around after this summer for a sixth season as the club’s manager, and he is already the longest-serving in Scottish football. Adriaanse was previously courted by Celtic before the disastrous appointment of